European Society of Medical Oncology Congress Presentations Show B-Cell Vaccine Combinations Inhibit Cancer Growth in Preclinical Models
SYDNEY, Australia, 1 October 2019: Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, today announced two presentations by medical investigators at the European Society of Medical Oncology in Barcelona Spain showed combining its HER2 vaccines with PD1 vaccines reduced cancer growth in a number of standard preclinical models.
The findings were detailed in posters presented by Dr Tanios Bekaii-Saab from the Mayo Clinic Phoenix USA and Dr Joshua Tobias from the Medical University Vienna, Austria.
Dr Bekaii-Saab’s poster presentation was entitled ‘Antitumor activity and safety of a novel PD-1 vaccine (PD1-Vaxx) alone and in combination with two chimeric HER-2 peptide vaccine (B-Vaxx) in syngeneic Balb/c mice and canines.’
The presentation detailed how Imugene’s PD1-Vaxx combined with B-Vaxx was more effective in reducing tumour growth in a model of HER2 positive colon cancer compared to either the PD1-Vaxx vaccine alone, or the positive control standard anti-mouse PD-1 monoclonal antibody.
The vaccine combination was found to be safe and did not appear to exhibit toxicity or autoimmunity. Imugene is working to evaluate PD1-Vaxx and its potential efficacy in a range of human cancers.
Dr Joshua Tobias’ poster presentation was entitled ‘Active immunization with immune checkpoint inhibitors-mimotope elicits strong in vivo anti-tumor effect against Her-2/neu-expressing tumors.’
The presentation showed active immunization with a PD1-derived mimotope vaccine combined with Imugene’s HER-Vaxx increased the anti-tumour effect of the combination vaccine compared to each vaccine alone in a model of HER2 positive breast cancer.
Active immunisation with the PD1-derived mimotope vaccine increased cancer cell death and anti-proliferative effect of the HER2 positive cancer cells in breast cancer tumours.
Imugene will initiate a Phase 1 trial of PD1-Vaxx as a monotherapy in 2020. In addition to safety and efficacy, a focus will be to assess the vaccine when combined with Imugene’s immunotherapy pipeline and other immunotherapies on the market.
Imugene Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Chong said, “The global medical community is actively seeking inmuno-oncology combination treatments which do not increase toxicity and demonstrate improved response rates and efficacy at minimal cost.”
“The promising new B-cell vaccine data presented at this year’s ESMO congress and other major cancer research conferences has helped raise the profile of our promising anti-cancer pipeline and its potential clinical value when used in combination with other immune-oncology therapies.”
“These latest presentations of comprehensive vaccine combination results help further demonstrate the significant value of Imugene’s B-cell vaccine strategy and the strength of our pipeline,” she said.
All the Imugene related research posters presented at ESMO are available on the company website.
Dr Bekaii-Saab’s poster presentation was entitled ‘Antitumor activity and safety of a novel PD-1 vaccine (PD1-Vaxx) alone and in combination with two chimeric HER-2 peptide vaccine (B-Vaxx) in syngeneic Balb/c mice and canines.’
Dr Joshua Tobias’ poster presentation was entitled ‘Active immunization with immune checkpoint inhibitors-mimotope elicits strong in vivo anti-tumor effect against Her-2/neu-expressing tumors.’
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Notes To Editors
About Imugene (ASX:IMU)
Imugene is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing a range of new and novel immunotherapies that seek to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumours. Our unique platform technologies seek to harness the body’s immune system against tumours, potentially achieving a similar or greater effect than synthetically manufactured monoclonal antibody and other immunotherapies. Our product pipeline includes multiple immunotherapy B-cell vaccine candidates and an oncolytic virotherapy (CF33) aimed at treating a variety of cancers in combination with standard of care drugs and emerging immunotherapies. We are supported by a leading team of international cancer experts with extensive experience in developing new cancer therapies with many approved for sale and marketing for global markets.
Our vision is to help transform and improve the treatment of cancer and the lives of the millions of patients who need effective treatments. This vision is backed by a growing body of clinical evidence and peer-reviewed research. Imugene is well funded and resourced, to deliver on its commercial and clinical milestones. Together with leading specialists and medical professionals, we believe Imugene’s immuno-oncology therapies will become foundation treatments for cancer. Our goal is to ensure that Imugene and its shareholders are at the forefront of this rapidly growing global market.
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For more information please contact:
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Leslie Chong
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